Saudi Arabia Sacks Coach Renard Two Months Before World Cup

Hervé Renard, the coach of the Saudi Arabia national football team, has been relieved of his duties by the Saudi Arabia Football Federation just two months ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada. The 57-year-old Frenchman was in his second spell as head coach and had previously led the team to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Despite his dismissal, Renard is noted for guiding the team throughout its qualification campaign, marking Saudi Arabia's seventh appearance in the World Cup. The Saudi Arabia Football Federation is already in discussions regarding a potential replacement, with Georgio Doni, the current coach of the Saudi club Al Khaleej and a former coach of the Ivory Coast, being mentioned as a candidate.

Saudi Arabia is set to compete in Group H alongside Spain and Uruguay in the upcoming World Cup.